working with designers - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rocco · 12-11-2006, 07:01 PM

hello again

I might start working with a designer and have never done this before. I have always workrd directly with the homeowner. I am assuming the homeowner still signs the contract right? Is the designer in this situation considered the Primary contractor while I now become a sub? Please let me know how you guys proceed working with a designer. Thanks again for all the tips and time.

rocco

mdshunk · 12-11-2006, 07:08 PM

I occasionally work with designers of a different sort. I don't work for them, I work for the HO. Consider the designer sort of like the architect on a project. They come up with the plan and you answer to them to some degree, but the HO pays you. 'Least that's how it works for me. I suspect it is the same for most. BUT... if the designer insists on paying your bill, I'd let them!

Danahy · 12-11-2006, 07:11 PM

I work with 3 designers. They always want to make money on the deal which can cause problems. The HO listens to the person thier paying, so make sure you get paid by the HO, and you pay the designer thier finders fee.

the last designer I worked for that I didn't like, said "don't talk price" to the HO, and this tied my hands when we ran into situations where we needed to ask for more. Also, the HO said with his wallet open "So how much do I owe you guys?", and we had to say "Uhhhhh, just talk to the designer", as we had noooooooo idea what they were charging...

Moral is: You get the money, and have the designer work for you, it's alot simpler that way. Plus the designers don't really have the knowledge, skill, certification to be the GC.

George Z · 12-11-2006, 08:10 PM

Couple of designers we work with are more qualified than most General Contractors.
If they are the prime contractor then they are just that to you and nothing else.
If they are the designer, they are just the specifiers.
Make sure you are clear and ask questions.
To play it safe add a 15% DOK (Designer Only Knows) charge to your price.

mdshunk · 12-11-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Z

To play it safe add a 15% DOK (Designer Only Knows) charge to your price.

Thanks, I might borrow that someday.

All hail King George!

furiousstyles · 12-11-2006, 08:13 PM

The guy who I used to work for couldnt stand working with designers or decoraters. In fact, he had a term of endearment for them...inferior desecraters, lol. Most of the conflict seemed to come from the fact that these designers were always making recommendations on what to do, but never clearing it with homeowner or g.c. first. They seemed oblivious to the fact that we didnt want to do another $3000.00 in work without getting something in writing from the person who was going to be cutting the check.

George Z · 12-11-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

Thanks, I might borrow that someday.

All hail King George!

We actually have a line item called MOK (her name is Maria)
The funny thing is, she knows it and approves of it.

**slickshift** · 12-11-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco

... I am assuming the homeowner still signs the contract right? Is the designer in this situation considered the Primary contractor while I now become a sub? Please let me know how you guys proceed working with a designer....

I've done/do it both ways
Either way, definitely add that extra charge
If I'm subbing, I'll add quite a bit more (WITICG, 30-50%), then knock off 15% "Designer Discount"
It's still 15%+ over regular price, but they dig it
If the H/O is signing but "Working With a Designer", I still add at least 15%, as chances are something will come up that I won't be happy about, but won't have much say in

mdshunk · 12-11-2006, 08:55 PM

I know this is the painters forum, but you guys talk about the coolest stuff.

I have noticed, over time, that painters seem to have a love/hate relationship with designers. I'm sure you all have stories.

In my trade (electrical) I really love (lighting) designers. They make my job SO much easier, as half the battle sometimes is choosing fixtures and doing the layout. I can do "normal" stuff on my own, but don't ask me to design squat. I think the world of designers. (I only hate them when they can't get me cut sheets on a timely basis).

George Z · 12-11-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

I know this is the painters forum, but you guys talk about the coolest stuff.

I have noticed, over time, that painters seem to have a love/hate relationship with designers. I'm sure you all have stories.

In my trade (electrical) I really love (lighting) designers. They make my job SO much easier, as half the battle sometimes is choosing fixtures and doing the layout. I can do "normal" stuff on my own, but don't ask me to design squat. I think the world of designers. (I only hate them when they can't get me cut sheets on a timely basis).

I love designers.
Same reasons as you do.
Colour and finish schedule prepared and ready to go.

axnjoe · 12-11-2006, 10:11 PM

I like working with designers. Our scope of work seems to be larger when they are involved and most of the final decisions are in concrete. When thats the case I try for T&M. What do I care what they make as long as I get what I want. All we have to do is show up and do what we get paid for.
In all fairness I give them credit for their work. At least I can deliver something tangible. They have to sell a vision and collect on it.
I dont really care who pays the bill either. If you use contracts though, it would be better to collect from the owner direct. Many designers are high turn over careers. But then again they are more likely to approve a higher bid due to their higher profit on their markup.
One way to piss a designer off is to be the second hand visionary on the job. When that happens you usually end up on the wrong side of the fence of the owner.

phinsher · 12-11-2006, 10:55 PM

My problem with designers and decorators always seems to be communication. The really seem to be in another world than me. They concern themselves with the la-di-da stuff, and forgetting to deal with the how much, when, and what if's. For some customers an unlimited budget is fine, with most there is a limit and many designers forget that. If at all possible let the designer pick colors, offer advice, but when it comes to scheduling, quality expectations, budgets, payment schedules, deadlines, waranties etc deal directly with the homeowner.

**Teetorbilt** · 12-11-2006, 11:23 PM

I've said this many times before, NEVER confuse a designer with a decorator. Here, for $25 I could be a decorator. A designer has at least a 4 yr. degree, a 3rd around here also hold a Masters in something related.

I have no problem working with them and actually prefer to pull them into jobs. They can really make a job 'pop' in the eyes of a HO. I work on the physical end, they work on the mental end. A few mark me up a lot, what do I care?

Joewho · 12-12-2006, 02:27 PM

As long as they don't expect me to keep their details in my head, i'm ok with it. I look at it as doing the backdrop for their stage.

You have to be confident in them and the owner because halfway through a project, they often want to change something.

Danahy · 12-12-2006, 06:47 PM

The 3 I use are great... Basically you need to find out how they like to operate. I agree with the above posts, that you need to be careful with the "lost in translation" problems that can arise from time to time...